Welding and cutting torch



Jan. 11, 1938. I c, R RICHTER 2,104,761

WELDING AND CUTTING TORCH Filed April 8, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l i Car"!R. Richter:

I 1 yMXW .6 3 His Attorney. I

Jan- 11,1938.

C. R. RICHTER WELDING AND CUTTING TORCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 8',1936 Ifiventor": Carl R.Richber', YAMXW-VU Patented Jan. 11, 1938 I IUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WELDING AND CUTTING 'roncn Carl R. Richter,Schenectady, N. Y. Application April 8, 1936, Serial No. 73,291

Claims. (Cl. its- 274) My invention relates to a welding and cuttingFigure is a detail view, partly broken, showtorch and has for itsprimary object the proing the adjustable end of the needle valve. visionof a torch which is adaptable and may be Figure 11 is a side view,partially in section, readily sed for both high and low pressure similarto Fig. 6 and. illustrating the parts form- 5 welding and for cutting,only slight adjustments ing. a mixing chamber equipped with an auto- 5and changes being necessary on th tor h to matically operatedantiexplosion device. render it quickly adaptable for any of these threeFigure 12 is a section taken along th e purposes, I2-l2 of Fig. 11. andOne important object of my invention lies in F gure 13 is a side view ofthe central oxy 10 the provision of a welding tip which is suitable a ytube q pp with the alniiiexplosiol'i for both high and low pressurewelding and which device.

is provided with an adjustment which renders Like reference charactersindicate like parts it readily adaptable for many difierent types andthroughout e d wi sclasses of welding operations, thereby elimmat- Itshould be stated here that my improved torch 15 ing the necessity ofsubstituting tips for different and the Welding and cutting t p ve beede- 1 operations, I signed primarily in order toutilize city gas orAnother object of my invention lies in the proer as f ow p e In both thevision of an attachment for the torch and welding mixing chamber and thep care has been taken tip whereby steel welding can be accomplished to Po i fo a maximum mixing of the gas and 29 with the torch withoutoxidation of the metal. oxygen, Whether delivered under high r ow Stillanother object of my invention lies in the Pressure, in order to Providea e P rfec and provision of an improved mixing chamber for more rapidcombustion of the gases at the p the fuel gases before delivery to thetip. Heretofore i attempts to use y as r A furth r object n m tprovision of an the like for welding or cutting it has been found provedadjustable welding tip, that with the ordinary equipment, designed forStill another object of my invention lies in the high t. es. here wasnot adequate mixprovision f a improved adjustable cutting t ing providedfor with the result that the use of Other objects and advantages indetails of conthe economical low gas for Welding a d struction andarrangement of parts wili be apu g purposes has not become com y 3oparent as the description proceeds. reference now Successful Y myinvention in Providing he being had t t figures of t accompanying torchand tips of improved design, I have made drawings, forming a part ofthis applicatio d possible the use of low B. t. u. gases such asorwherein like reference numerals indicate like i ry city gas Weldingpreheating and partg ting purposes. This obviously makes possible a 5 Mypresent application is a continuation in great economy to Welders as thecity s in most. part of my application S61. No. 756,131 whichcommunities is Pipedio nearly every h p nd was filed in the PatentOfilce December 5, 1934. dwelling Where it is readily and economicallyIn t drawings; available and'eliminates the necessity of the ex- Figure1 1S a side View of my improved torch pensive handling and use of tanksof compressed 40 Figure 2 is a side view, partially in section, 11-acetylene other high gass' 40 The reference character l refers to thehandle lustrating the attachment for steel welding.

Figure 3 is a detail view of the end of the tip my i at 1wer endattachment with a valve casing 2 provided with a gas inlet 3 controlledby a valve member 4. Also provided i i ia; detail sectional Viewillustrating in the valve casing 2 is an oxygen inlet 5 con- 45 gtrolled by a valve member 6. A third control Figure 5 is a SectionalView taken on e line valve 6a is provided for a purpose to bedescribed.Figure a At a point directly adjacent the handle I and Figure 6 15sectmnai View illustrating the suitably secured thereto as by thethreaded sleeve ing ohombef- I is a substantially conical shaped casing8 en- 50 Figure '7 is a sectional end view of the mixing closing tmixing hamb 9 e Figure 6), It chamber taken on the line 1-1 of'Figure 6-will be understood that within the handle I are Figure 8 is adetailsectional view of the welding communicating passages leading from thegas intip. let valve 4 and the oxygen inlet valve 6 upwardly 5 Figure 9is an end viewof the welding tip. through the handle to the mixingchamber. 5

These passages have not been shown in detail as they i'o'rm no part oithis invention and comprise ordinary standard and well known means. Theopen lower end oi the mixing chamber I is provided with a plug itthreadably or otherwise secured, as shown clearly in Figure 8, to thethreaded boss I I provided on the lower end of the casing I. This plugis also provided at its lower end with threads I! adapted to receive thethreaded connecting sleeve I whereby the same may be attached to thehandle I. Extending upwardly through a suitable opening in the plug itis a tube I! open at its lower end and communicating with the oxygensupply passage through the handle I whereby the oxygen passes upwardlythrough thistube II. The tube is provided intermediate its ends withoutlet ports or openings it through which the oxygen escapes into themixing chamber I. The upper end oi the tube I3 is closed as shown inFigure 6 and is provided with a detachable and adjustable spreader I 5preferably threaded into the recessed end oi the tube II as at Ila for apurpose to be described. v

The plug I 0 is also provided with a plurality of diagonally disposedopenings II communicating at their lower ends with the gas supplypassage in the handle I and attheir opposite ends opening into themixing chamber 0. These openings I 6 are so disposed as to be directedin an intersecting direction with the openings I4 in the oxygen tube I3whereby the gas passing through the'openings II is directed into theoxygen as it passes outwardly through the openings I4 into the mixingchamber. This results in immediate and relatively violent agitation andmixing of the gas and oxygen within the mixing chamber 9.

Secured within the mixing chamber 0 is a bame II secured at its lowerend between the boss II and the plug I0 and curving inwardly toward itsupper open end as shown clearly in Figure 6. The open upper end oi thebaiile I'I terminates just beneath the spreader I! on the end of thetube I I and the'rnixed oxygen and gas passes out of the mixing chamberI through the constricted upper open end oi the baiiie and immediatelycontacts the underside oi the adjustable spreader Ii around which itpasses upwardly through the casing I. The spreader ll serves as anadditional means for disturbing the iree flow of the mixed gasesresulting in additional agitation oi them and a consequent more completemixing thereoi. It serves also as a safety stop against backiires.

The'upper open end oi the casing l is suitably secured as by a threadedsleeve I. (see Figure l) to a pipe section I 8 which in turn is securedas by the threaded sleeve 20 to the torch pipe II. The section Il may beomitted and the torch pipe 2i secured directly to the casing O iisdesired. Likewise the section Il may be of any desired length dependingupon the length oi torch required for a particular welding or cuttingjob. Obviously this section II comprises an extension member and isreadily removable to permit substitution oi extension sections oi anydesired length.

The end oi the torch pipe 2i is bent angularly as at 22 and isinternally threaded to receive the threaded end 23 of a cutting tip 2(see Figure 4) or the threaded end II of a welding tip 28 (see Figure8).

The cutting tip 24 comprises a hollow, substantially conical shapedcasing, the free end of which is provided with a'substantially conicalshaped opening 21. The opposite end of the tip is provided with a plug20 preferably integral with the tip casing through which is provided aplurality of openings or passages 29 communicating with the interior ofthe tip casing 24 and with the torch pipe 2i whereby the mixed oxygenand gas from the mixing chamber passes through the openings into the tipcasing 24 and out through the opening 21 at the iree end thereof. Theplug 2| is provided centrally with a threaded opening adapted to receivethe threaded enlargement III of a hollow needle valve 3| extendingthrough the tip casing 24 and provided at its free end with asubstantially conical shape member 32 lying within the opening II andthus'restricting said outlet opening 21 to an annular opening around theend 3! oi the needle valve whereby the mixed gases pass to theatmosphere through such circular opening.

v The needle valve being adjustable within the tip casing 24 by virtueoi the threaded connection III with the plug 2|, it will be obvious thatthe size of the discharge opening 21 may be regulated to any desireddegree depending upon the type oi cutting operation to be periormed.

In order that the tip may improve the ilame temperature and alsoincrease or decrease the size of flame, I have provided the adjustableneedle valve II in'the iorm of a hollow tube, the opening 33therethrough opening to the atmosphere at its free end and within theopening 21 of the tip and communicating at its opposite end through thereduced threaded portion "a with a passage 34 provided in a spider orbar 35 suitably secured within the end of the torch pipe 2| immediatelyadjacent the tip. Communicating with this passage 34 and the needlevalve opening 33 is an oxygen supply pipe 36 extending alongside orinside the torch pipe and handle and having suitable connection 35a withthe bar 35 in alignment with the passage 33 and at its opposite end withthe oxygen supply within the handle, and controlled by the valve to. Anysuitable valve arrangement may be provided in the yalve casing 2 wherebythe valve memberia may be operated to open or close the pipe 30 inaddition to the ordinary oxygen supply within the handle. If theadditional oxygen is necessary for the particular cutting job beingundertaken, the operator merely opens the additional oxygen passagethrough the pipe 3|, by operating valve ia, resulting in the dischargeoi oxygen through the needle valve ll, to the flame at the end 01 thetip.

In order that the torch may be also used as a welding torch with aminimum amount of adjustment and change, I have provided for thesubstitution oi a special welding tip for the cutting tip. This weldingtip is shown in Figure 8 and comprises the casing 26 provided with thethreaded end 25 by means of which it may be secured to the end of thetorch pipe II in place oi the cutting tip just described.

The iree end oi the welding tip is provided with a substantially conicalshaped opening 48. Suitably mounted within the end ll of the tip is thethreaded end 46 of an adjustable needle valve 41, the free end oi whichis substantially conically shaped as at II for engagement within lengthonly and communicating'with this pas- 7 gases will pass into the tipthrough the needle valve passage 49 and out into the tip chamber 5|through the openings 50 and thence through the opening 45 to the flame.The passage 49 in the needle valve communicates only with the mixed gaspassage in the torch pipe and not with the extra oxygen pipe 36 shown inFigure 4. The end of the needle valve is not connected with the passage34 in the spider 35 but lies directly ahead of such spider and free ofit. The spider 35 in this case serves as an additional deflector for themixed gases andconsequently increases the completeness of the mixing.

As so far described the torch and welding tip are adaptable for highpressure welding, the mixing of the oxygen and gas being so complete dueto the design of the mixing chamber and tip, that a low B. t. u. gassuch as city gas may be employed and when ignited at the discharge endof the tip, will burn with sufficient intensity to provide asatisfactory weld. The adjustability of the needle valve in the tipeliminates the necessity for changing tips when different sizes offlames are desired.

The same welding tip 26 as so far described is equally adaptable for usewith low pressure welding, by simply removing the needle valve 41 fromthe tip casing, and adjusting the spreader I5 in the mixing chamber 8away from the baille l1 (see Figure 6).

. It should be stated here also that by causing the mixed oxygen and gasfrom the mixing chamber to pass into the tip casing 26 through therestricted openings 50, serves as an additional means of more completelyand thoroughly mixing of such gases before they reach the flame end ofthe tip. This is another contributing factor to the successful andpractical use of this tip and-torch with gases of low B. t. u.properties.

In Figures 9 and- 10 I have shown a further adjustment for the tip. Thecone shaped end 48 of the needle valve is threadably secured to thevalve stem 41 as at 48a whereby the cone end may be adjustedindependently of the threaded end 45. This is convenient for quickadjustments. This same arrangement may also be provided on the cuttingtip and the cone end 32' thereof if desired.

It has been found that in the welding of steel with low E. t. u. gases,when the molten metal is exposed at the point of welding to atmosphericconditions, the molten metal oxidizes thus preventing a clean weld. Inorder to prevent this oxidation I have provided an attachment for thetorch and tip which may be readily attached or detached as required, orprovided as a permanent part of the torch. This attachment is shownclearly in Figure 2 and comprises a substantially conical shaped shell31 adapted to fit over the tip casing 26. The shell is provided with adouble wall 38 providing an enclosed space completely surrounding thetip casing. The free end of the shell is provided with an opening 39 ofthe same size and diameter as the end of the welding tip 26 whereby thegases from the tip may pass freely therethrough to the flame. The freeend of the shell 31 is also provided with a plurality of small openings40 surrounding the large central opening 39. This chamber 4| is closedat its opposite end as shown clearly in Figure 2. Also communicatingwith this chem ber 4|throughthe opening 42 adjacent the rear 1 end ofthe shell is a pipe 43 adapted to extend outside of the torch to thehandle thereof where it may be attached to and in communication with thegas supply line by means of a threaded attaching means 44. Thisconnection with the gas supply line may be at the point 3 on the handleor in any other suitable manner and of course, is controlled either bythe valve memher '4 or by other suitable controlling means.

The admission of the gas through the pipe 43 and its passage out throughthe openings 40 in the shell 31 around the outlet 21 of the tip, resultsin providing an enclosing ring of gas unmixed with oxygen, around theflame at'the point of welding. This ring of gas'serves as a protect ingfilm or curtain against the atmosphere coming in contact with the moltenmetal at the point of welding and thus prevents the oxidation ofsuchmetaL. The burning gas ring entirely surrounding the welding flameshields" it from the atmosphere and the resultant oxidizing effectthereof on the molten metal.

As before stated this attachment may be readily removed from the torchwhenother than steel welding is being done and may be quickly attachedfor the purpose just described.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 11,12 and 13 Ihave shown a modification of my invention in which means are providedfor automatically preventing an explosion from taking place'in thehandle of the torch. in the hose leading thereto or in the control.devices which are associated therewith. In the form of the inventionhereshown, the spreader. l5l is mounted on a stem 52 which is receivedin an opening 54 inthe upper end of the member 83' and which is urgedoutwardiy asviewed in Fig. 11 by a coil spring ,55. The spreader is,however, in the form hereshown, provided with a conical valve portionI52 which when the spreader is depressed engages a conical seat formedon the upper edge of the passage between the spreader and the upper edgeof the said baflle. The stem is preferably provided with an outwardlyextending pin 56 which is received in a slot 51 in the wall surbaiiieI'I', therebyclosing the,

tutes a stop for the movement of the spreader I5l and the stem on whichit is mounted. wile! the spreader is moved outwardly to its limit asshown in Fig. 11, the spreader is spaced from the upper edge of thecasing 8 of the mixing chamber in about the same way as is the'spreaderin Fig. 6.

Now in case of an explosion in front of the bafiie H the pressureexerted thereby against the upper face of the spreader l5l forces thesame inwardly against the action of the spring thereby seating the valveportion I52 of the spreader against the valve seat at the upper edge ofthe bafile l1 and closing the passage and preventing the explosion frombeing communicated to the gases beneath the spreader in the chamber 9'in the baiile and into the handle of the torch, the hose and theregulating and control instruments communicating therewith.

Thus far, it will be clear that I have provided tip, a handle and inletsuniversal torch adaptable for both high and low pressure welding withgases of either high or low B. t. u. properties, and for cutting. Inaddition I have provided means for preventing the oxidation of themolten metal in welding operations.

It will be understood, of course, that changes may be made by way ofdetail without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I donot limit myself, therefore, to the exact form herein shown anddescribed other than by the appended claims.

-What I claim is: V

l. A welding and cutting torch comprisinga for gas and oxygen, ,a mixingchamber between said handle and tip, an oxy en supply tubelongitudinally disposed in said chamber having lateral outlet openings,a plurality of gas .supply openings communicating with said chamber anddisposed in an intersecting directionwith said outlet openings, and abaiile in said chamber restricting the outlet passage thereof, saidbattle comprising a substantially conical shaped casing surrounding saidtube and having an opening at its small end through which said tubeextends and through which the mixed gases pass. and a spreader on theextending end of said tube, said spreader overlying the open end of saidbailie;

2. A weldingjand cutting torch comprising a tip, a handle and inlets forgas and oxygen, a mixing chamber between said handle and tip',anoxygensupply tube longitudinally disposed in said chamber having lateraloutlet openings, a plurality of gas supply openings communicating withsaid chamber and disposed in an intersectingdirection with said outletopenings, and a baiiie in said chamber restricting the out-let passagethereof, said baflie comprising a, substantially conical shaped casingsurrounding said tube and having an opening at its small end throughwhich said tube extends and through which the mixed gases pass, and aspreader on the extending end of'said tube, said spreader overlying theopen end of said baille, said spreader being adjustable with respect tosaid baiiie.

' 3.-A welding and cutting torch comprising a tip, a handle and inletsfor gas and oxygen, a mixing chamber between said handle and tip, anoxygen supply tube longitudinally disposed in said chamber havinglateral outlet openings, a pluralityof gas supply openings communicatingwith said chamber and disposed in an intersecting direction with saidoutlet openings, and a battie in said chamberrestricting the outletpassage thereof, said baflie comprising a substantially conical shapedcasing surrounding said tube and having an opening at its small endthrough which said tube extends and through which the mixed gasespass,and a spreader on the extending end of said tube, said spreaderoverlying the open end of said baille, said mixing chamber beingsubstantially conical in shape, the'discharge end thereof being therestricted portion.

4. In a torch of the character described, a cising forming a gaspassage, a tip, means defining a mixing chamber and comprising a bafliegenerally conical in form to which oxygen and gas are introduced andwhich tapers forwardly in the direction of the flow of gases, and aspreader disposed at the forward end of said baiiie, yielding means fornormally forcing said spreader into spaced relation to the forward endof said battle and movable rearwardly into engagement with the forwardend of said battle in response to pressure developed in advance of saidspreader.

5. In a torch of the character described, a. t p, a handle and inletsfor gas and oxygen, respectively, means defining a mixing chamberdisposed between said handle and said tip, an oxygen supply tubelongitudinally disposed in said chamber and having lateral outletopenings, a plurality of gas supply openings communicating with saidchamber and disposed in an intersecting direction with said outletopenings, and a batfie in'said chamber restricting the outlet passagethereof, said bailie comprising a substantially conical shaped casingsurrounding said tube and having an opening at its small end throughwhich said tube extends and through which the mixed gases pass, and aninwardly movable spreader on the extending end of said tube andoverlying the open end of said bailie.

CARL R. RICHTER.

